Vanderbilt University claimed the top spots in the “Great Financial Aid” and “Their Students Love These Colleges” categories of The Princeton Review’s latest Best Colleges rankings. The annual rankings are based on how students across the country rate their overall satisfaction with their schools.
Opportunity Vanderbilt, which promises to meet the financial needs of every undergraduate who attends the university, contributed to Vanderbilt’s No. 1 overall ranking in the “Great Financial Aid” category. Vanderbilt’s admissions process is need-blind, the university meets 100 percent of a family’s demonstrated need, and financial aid awards do not include loans.
“Students are drawn to the vibrancy of our campus and city, as well as our outstanding academic programs,” said Douglas L. Christiansen, vice provost for university enrollment affairs and dean of admissions and financial aid. “Opportunity Vanderbilt is our steadfast commitment to put this world-class education experience within reach for any qualified student, regardless of their ability to pay.” Vanderbilt also ranked No. 2 for “College City Gets High Marks” and No. 5 for “Most Beautiful Campus” in this year’s survey.
Students registered their high satisfaction with Vanderbilt’s academic offerings by ranking the university among the top in the nation for “Best Science Lab Facilities,” “Best College Library,” “Professors Get High Marks” and “Best Classroom Experience.” Students also were happy with the university’s leadership, ranking Vanderbilt No. 2 overall for “Best-Run Colleges.”
“A cornerstone of our undergraduate curriculum is the opportunity for students to work closely with faculty, conduct independent research and participate in experiential learning in and beyond the classroom,” said Tiffiny Tung, vice provost for undergraduate education and Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Social and Natural Sciences. “Along with the holistic education that takes place in our residential colleges, these experiences allow Vanderbilt students to discover, grow and thrive.”
Vanderbilt ranked highly in several categories that reflect students’ overall satisfaction with life on campus. The university took the No. 2 spots for “Best Quality of Life,” “Best Athletic Facilities” and “Happiest Students.”
The university ranked fifth for “Best Student Support and Counseling Services” based on students’ positive opinion of the support they receive through Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network, a group of resources pertaining to health and wellness available to all students. The network includes four primary offices—the Center for Student Wellbeing, Student Care Coordination, Student Health Center and University Counseling Center—as well as a variety of additional on-campus and community resources.
“At Vanderbilt we’re dedicated to nurturing the whole person, to creating an inclusive community where everyone finds support and feels a sense of belonging, and to fostering students’ academic success, well-being and personal and professional development,” said G.L. Black, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students.
The Princeton Review’s Best College lists report the top 25 universities in each category. Vanderbilt ranked in 21 of the 50 categories surveyed. The rankings are entirely based on what students attending the schools say in surveys about their colleges and their experiences.
Other top 25 rankings for Vanderbilt include: Lots of Greek Life (No. 4), Best Campus Food (No. 6), Town-Gown Relations Are Great (No. 7), Most Engaged in Community Service (No. 11), Best College Newspaper (No. 12), Best College Theater (No. 15) and Best College Dorms (No. 20).
For the complete rankings, visit The Princeton Review website.
- Learn more about Opportunity Vanderbilt.
- Did you know? 100 percent of royalties received by Vanderbilt from the retail sale of licensed merchandise and apparel directly benefit Opportunity Vanderbilt. Visit the Vanderbilt Bookstore online.